Clarke’s magic ton Blasts him to top six

JOE Clarke blasted his way into the top six of the all-time single innings performances in T20 cricket in the PCA MVP Rankings after he battered 124 from just 53 balls for Worcestershire against Durham at New Road.

Clarke’s spectacular innings included a century from 45 balls – the joint fastest in county cricket this summer.

It gave Clarke 41.48 batting points and took him to sixth in the all-time best single innings performances since the PCA MVP Rankings were introduced in 2007.

Clarke’s spectacular innings also overshadowed a landmark for Durham’s former England batsman Paul Collingwood who became the oldest man to score a maiden T20 century at the age of 41.

Collingwood’s century gave him 39 PCA MVP points, enough to take him to 25th on the all-time list of best single innings PCA MVP scores in the format.

England white ball opener Alex Hales matched Clarke’s 45-ball century to set up victory over Yorkshire at Trent Bridge which gave him 35 PCA MVP points.

Hales and Clarke are now joint leaders in the race for the Walter Lawrence Trophy for the fastest century of the season in domestic competitions.

Hales has now moved into sixth place in the PCA MVP for the Blast on 107 points, 42 behind the leader Derbyshire’s Wayne Madsen.

Riki Wessels, Hales’ opening partner, is just two places further back on 98 points.

After a month of T20 cricket, the County Championship returns on Sunday for a round which features eight matches.

Hampshire’s former South Africa fast bowler Kyle Abbott will be aiming to increase his lead at the top of the championship PCA MVP against Lancashire.

Surrey batsman Kumar Sangakkara still leads the overall Rankings, which carries a prize of £10,000, on 382 across all formats with Glamorgan’s former South Africa all-rounder Colin Ingram second with 355 points.

Notts all-rounder Samit Patel is just two points adrift in third place.